300 stranded tourists cross Rohtang pass

Some of the 300 tourists trapped in Lahaul valley managed to crossRohtang passon Sunday evening after the road was partially opened to traffic.

Manali-Keylong road is expected to be cleared by Tuesday evening depending on weather conditions, saidBorder Road Organisation(BRO) officials. Vehicles have already started moving out ofLahaul valley to Manali. ''Already around 20 vehicles have crossed Rohtang. On Monday, remaining vehicles will be allowed to cross the mountain pass,'' said RiteshChauhan, Lahaul-Spiti deputy commissioner.

With snow covering higher mountain passes of Himachal Pradesh, including Rohtang, Sach and Kunzum, people in Lahaul-Spiti and Pangi valley of Chamba district are cut off from the rest of the world. Chauhan said essential supplies have reached the district.